Soncho Hotel

The brand new Soncho Hotel is quickly rising to fame among those lucky enough to have stayed there during its opening season. With well-trained English-speaking staff, a top-of-the-line restaurant with both breakfast and dinner included in the price of a room, and spacious rooms, guests can generally expect the same quality as high-end hotels for a much lower price.

The hotel entrance is located inside the restaurant, and the first thing that jumps out is the vibrant purple walls covered in pleasant and somewhat trippy spiral patterns. A ski-in/ski-out back entrance and ski depot will be completed before the 2017-18 season, reducing the walk to Pirveli lift from 20 meters to zero. Note that since Soncho Hotel is located at the base of the lowest lift, serious skiers should consider staying here before mid-March because the lowest slope often begins to melt around that time.

Prices range from $100/night for a double room up to $170/night for the biggest family room, though discounts are always given during the less busy weeks of the season. These prices include breakfast and dinner, but the management is also happy to negotiate a lower price for those who do not want meals included. The rooms are mostly spacious with a minimalist design and views of either the ski slope or the snowy ridge that backs the village. The family room on the top floor is a favorite, with a cheaper price due to the sloped ceilings and few flights of stairs required, but I felt that the sloped ceilings give it more character.

The best perk that Soncho has to offer over other ski-in/ski-out hotels is the food. Dinners are served in 3 courses with a fixed menu that changes each day. Don’t be scared off by the fixed menu, though; the restaurant staff are happy to accommodate vegetarians/vegans or any other dietary needs. If you want to try a much bigger variety of local foods than the average tourist and stay right on the slopes, then Soncho Hotel is the place for you.